Numbers 24
1 And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not resort to sorcery as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness.
When Balaam saw that the Lord wanted to bless Israel, he chose not to use divination as he had previously. Instead he turned towards the desert,
2 When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him,
and as he looked at Israel camped there according to their respective tribes, the Spirit of God came on him.
3 and he lifted up an oracle, saying: “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open,
He gave a declaration, saying:
4 the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:
“This is the prophecy of Balaam, son of Beor, the prophecy of a man who sees with eyes are wide open, the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees the vision given by Almighty, who bows down in respect with open eyes.
5 How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel!
How well set out your tents are, Jacob; the places where you live, Israel!
6 They spread out like palm groves, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the waters.
They look like wooded valleys, like gardens beside a river, like aloe trees the Lord has planted, like cedars at the water's edge.
7 Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed will have abundant water. His king will be greater than Agag, and his kingdom will be exalted.
The Israelites will pour out bucketfuls of water; their descendants will have plenty of water. Their king will be greater than King Agag; their kingdom will be glorious.
8 God brought him out of Egypt with strength like a wild ox, to devour hostile nations and crush their bones, to pierce them with arrows.
God led them out of Egypt with great power, as strong as an ox, destroying enemy nations, breaking their bones, piercing them with arrows.
9 He crouches, he lies down like a lion; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him? Blessed are those who bless you and cursed are those who curse you.”
They are like a lion that crouches and lies down. They are like a lioness that nobody dares to disturb. Those who bless you will be blessed; those who curse you will be cursed.”
10 Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together and said to Balaam, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times.
Balak got angry with Balaam, and beat his fists together. He told Balaam, “I brought you here to curse my enemies, and now look! You keep on blessing them, doing it three times.
11 Therefore, flee at once to your home! I said I would richly reward you, but instead the LORD has denied your reward.”
Leave right now! Go home! I promised to pay you well, but the Lord has made sure you wouldn't receive any payment.”
12 Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not already tell the messengers you sent me
But Balaam said to Balak, “Didn't I already explain to the messengers you sent
13 that even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD? I will speak whatever the LORD says.
that even if you gave me your whole palace full of silver and gold, I couldn't do anything I wanted or disobey the command of the Lord my God in any way? I can only say what the Lord tells me.
14 Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you what this people will do to your people in the days to come.”
Listen! I'm going back home now to my own people, but first let me warn you what these Israelites are going to do to your people in the future.”
15 Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying, “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open,
Then Balaam gave a declaration, saying, “This is the prophecy of Balaam, son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are wide open
16 the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:
the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who receives knowledge from the Most High, who sees the vision given by Almighty, who bows down in respect with open eyes.
17 I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth.
I see him, but this isn't now. I observe him, but this isn't close at hand. In the future a leader like a star will come from Jacob, a ruler with a scepter will come to power from Israel. He will crush the heads of the Moabites, and destroy all the people of Seth.
18 Edom will become a possession, as will Seir, his enemy; but Israel will perform with valor.
The country of Edom will be conquered, his enemy Seir will be conquered, and the Israelites will be victorious.
19 A ruler will come from Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city.”
A ruler from Jacob will come and destroy those left in the city.”
20 Then Balaam saw Amalek and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Amalek was first among the nations, but his end is destruction.”
Balaam turned his attention to the Amalekites and gave this declaration about them, saying, “Amalek was first among the nations, but they will end up being destroyed.”
21 Next he saw the Kenites and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Your dwelling place is secure, and your nest is set in a cliff.
He turned his attention to the Kenites and gave this declaration about them, saying, “Where you live is safe and secure, like a nest on a cliff-face.
22 Yet Kain will be destroyed when Asshur takes you captive.”
But Kain will be burned down when Assyria conquers you.”
23 Once more Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Ah, who can live unless God has ordained it?
Then Balaam gave another declaration, saying, “It's a tragedy! Who can survive when God does this?
24 Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus; they will subdue Asshur and Eber, but they too will perish forever.”
Ships will be sent from Cyprus to attack Assyria and Eber, but they too will be permanently destroyed.”
25 Then Balaam arose and returned to his homeland, and Balak also went on his way.
Then Balaam left and returned to his own country, and Balak left too.
